Soy and flax in relation to ER+ breast cancer?

Question fromjulie:
What is the thought now on soy/flax intake in estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancers?

Answers -Eric Winer, M.D.
I always tell patients the same thing about this: they should eat foods that they enjoy, and that provide good nourishment. I do not believe that women need to either increase or decrease their consumption of either soy or flax to prevent a recurrence of cancer since we do not have data to support such a recommendation. I think concentrated soy products are foods, so I don't think people should eat them as a medicine. If someone wants to drink soymilk, that's OK with me.

Marisa Weiss
Soy foods such as soy milk, tofu, edamame, etc. can be a healthy part of your diet if you enjoy them, but I have concerns about people using pharmaceutically concentrated soy products beyond what they're taking for nutritional needs. We just don't know the safety when you load up on these items.

On Wednesday, December 15, 2010, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2010 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Eric Winer, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about the latest updates on breast cancer risk, screening, and treatment in early and metastatic breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.